FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirms Iran’s spot in this summer’s World Cup

Soccer governing body’s responsibility is to 'unite the world,' Infantino says during FIFA Congress in Vancouver

Published Apr 30, 2026  •  Last updated 21 minutes ago  •  2 minute read

An Iranian fan kisses a replica of the World Cup trophy as he cheers for his team prior to the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group B football match between Iran and the U.S. at the Al-Thumama Stadium in Doha on Nov. 29, 2022. Photo by FABRICE COFFRINI /AFP via Getty Images

FIFA’s president confirmed that Iran will play in this summer’s World Cup, hosted jointly by Canada, Mexico and the United States, adding that it is the soccer governing body’s responsibility to “unite the world.”

Article content

The Middle East nation’s participation has been repeatedly questioned as the war between the U.S., Israel and Iran drags on into a third month. The White House even waded into the debate when an envoy suggested FIFA should add Italy to the tournament instead.

Article content

Article content

World soccer boss Gianni Infantino, however, continued to pour cold water on the heated debate by telling the FIFA Congress on Thursday in Vancouver that Iran will indeed play its scheduled games in the U.S.

“The reason for that is very simple, dear friends, is because we have to unite,” said Infantino, via The Associated Press, who previously said that the Iranian team was “for sure” coming to the World Cup.

“We have to bring people together. It is my responsibility. It is our responsibility. Football unites the world. FIFA unites the world. You unite the world. We unite the world.”

U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he receives the FIFA Peace Prize from FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Getty Images

Iran to play games in L.A. area, Seattle

Iran is currently set to open the tournament on June 15 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif., where they are expected to play New Zealand in a Group G match. They are scheduled to play Belgium there as well on June 21 before battling Egypt on June 26 at Lumen Field in Seattle.

Article content

Article content

It has not been a smooth process for the Iranians, though, with the latest incident seeing Mehdi Taj, the head of their soccer federation, and two other officials turned away at the Canadian border for alleged ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps despite Taj reportedly being granted a temporary visa.

The IRGC is listed as a terrorist entity by the federal government, as well as by the U.S.

“The Iranian revolutionary guard, and all its members, has been listed as a terrorist organization for several years – their members are prohibited from coming,” Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday at an unrelated event in Oakville without specifically discussing Taj’s case.

“We have a series of screens that we take action (on) and no (IRGC) members have entered the country; action has been taken appropriately.”

RECOMMENDED VIDEO

U.S. envoy pitched Italy as potential replacement

Iran’s participation has been a hot topic since the war began with officials there asking to have their games moved from the U.S. to Mexico instead.

Article content

Paolo Zampolli, the U.S. special representative for global partnerships, even went so far as pitching Infantino and President Donald Trump on swapping Iran for four-time champion Italy, which lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in World Cup qualifying.

Italian sports minister Andrea Abodi, however, reportedly said at the time that “qualification is done on the pitch” and replacing Iran would not be “appropriate.”

Iran’s participation was not brought up, either, during the Asian soccer federation congress in Vancouver earlier this week, according to The Associated Press, nor did they discuss moving their games outside of the U.S.

Read More

1. 

   Why FIFA’s ‘last-minute’ World Cup ticket release has fans upset

2. 

   Why fans can’t buy resale Toronto World Cup tickets through FIFA

Article content